FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News Media contact: April 2, 2001 Audrey Spivack 202-418-0512 FCC ADOPTS REVISED LPFM ORDER; CODIFIES THIRD ADJACENT CHANNEL INTERFERENCE PROTECTION STANDARDS Washington, DC -- The FCC has modified its rules for the low power FM (LPFM) service. The modifications 1) prescribe LPFM station third adjacent channel interference protection standards, and 2) prohibit any applicant from obtaining an LPFM station license if the applicant has engaged in the unlicensed operation of a station in violation of Section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934. This Second Report and Order (Second R&O) adopts modifications to the LPFM service rules implementing provisions of the FY 2001 Appropriations Act (“Act”). The Act, at section 632(2)(1)(A), required the FCC to modify its LPFM rules to “prescribe minimum distance separations for third adjacent channels as well as for co- channels and first- and second-adjacent channels.” To implement the Act, the FCC has revised Section 73.807 to include minimum distance separations between LPFM stations and full power FM and FM translator stations operating on channels third adjacent to any new LPFM stations. These third adjacent spacings are standard consistent with current full power FM station third adjacent channel protection levels. The Act required the FCC to modify its rules to “prohibit any applicant from obtaining a low-power FM license if the applicant has engaged in any manner in the unlicensed operation of any station in violation of FCC rules.” The Second R&O also clarified the scope of permissible minor amendments in the LPFM service and described future filing opportunities for applicants affected by the changes to the LPFM rules. The full text of the Second R&O is available on the FCC website at: www.fcc.gov Action by the Commission March 22, 2001, by Second Report and Order (FCC 01-100). Chairman Powell, Commissioners Ness and Tristani, with Commissioner Furchtgott-Roth approving in part, dissenting in part and issuing a statement. MM Docket 99-25 Mass Media Bureau contact: James Bradshaw 202-418-273 - FCC - News media Information 202 / 418-0500 TTY 202 / 418-2555 Fax-On-Demand 202 / 418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov Federal Communications Commission 445 12th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).